Footballs 4 Family

 

It is wise in family (or any) football to periodically “take stock” of the entire football process. This requires an analysis of: (1) coaching, (2) players, (3) plays, and (4) condition. It can also require a look at field conditions but this is well beyond the control of most family football teams. However, good football equipment is not and should be included in any “taking stock” exercise.

The first item to examine is coaching. Many family football teams do not have a coach. However, where there is a coach his credentials should be examined. Coaches of family football teams do this task for the love of the game since they are uncompensated. Regardless, they should give the coached team their best effort. This means that the team is properly conditioned and ready for play. The coach attends all the games and provides playing tips during the game. A good family football coach does his very best for his team. At all times he encourages the team to play well and even tells them how.

Family football teams cannot function without good players. So in “taking stock” it’s advisable to review the capabilities of all players. There should be a mix of playing capabilities, including players who can pass, run, kick and block. Serious family football depends on having capable players. If the game is played only for fun then player capability is unimportant. However, in a serious game there must be capable players who can handle the multiple offensive and defensive requirements.

A serious family football team will have creative passing, running and kicking plays. These will be well practiced and used consistently in games. The best plays are the simplest that all players know well and can carry out easily. There is no need in family football to have excessively elaborate plays. These are usually difficult to implement and can end up going nowhere. So for effective family football, keep the plays few in number, simple to understand and easy to execute.

Good body condition is fundamental for quality play in family football. It is the coach’s job to ensure that all players have the proper aerobic, strength and quickness training. Being in good physical condition reduces injury and makes the game more fun to play. Dedicated players always keep their bodies in top condition by exercising regularly and eating properly!

Good equipment helps. This is an official football, quality accessories and a sturdy tote bag. The best football is the official NFL football covered in top grain leather. This all leather football can be a Rawlings football, a Spalding football or a Wilson football. The leather and rubber composite football is the next play choice. It can be an Olympia football or a Rawlings football. The least playable and least expensive football is the rubber football. It plays fine most times and is preferred by casual players because of its low cost. It can be a Baden football, a Champion football, a Mikasa football or an Olympia football.

Quality accessories are needed. These are a football pump, pressure gauge, inflating needles and a football repair kit. The ball pump can be a hand operated air pump or the preferred foot pump.

The ball tote or ball bag is an invaluable accessory. It is made of nylon mesh, comes in many colors and has a nylon draw string. This nylon ball tote or nylon ball bag can carry up to 10 footballs. It is used to carry football equipment to and from games and to safeguard unused equipment at these games.

“Taking stock” means looking carefully at the coach, players, plays and condition. Done properly this action can set the stage for having a winning family football team.

Family football is all about having fun. Regardless of how tough the play may be if players are not having fun in the game then why play? Many teams take the game very seriously and do all they can to win. But they do not lose sight of the basic fun objective of family football. This article looks at the fun in family football in three ways: (1) how to prepare properly, (2) how to participate fully, and (3) how to follow up creatively. Each of these ways will be reviewed in turn.

Proper preparation to play family football has two basic elements. First get the mind and body ready, And second, get the equipment ready. Mind and body preparation is fundamental. To play family (or any) football properly all players must want to play the game and be committed to doing their best. This is mental preparation. Body preparation is more structured. It requires gaining physical fitness, stopping all deleterious practices like smoking, drugs and alcohol and eating healthy food.

Equipment preparation means ensuring that all football equipment is ready for play. There are three types of football equipment – the football, the accessories and the tote bag. The football should be an official football (11 inches long and inflated to 13 PSI), preferably an official NFL football in top grain leather. Footballs can have one of three coverings – a leather football, a composite football (leather and rubber) and a rubber football. The leather football plays best under all conditions and can be a Rawlings football or a Spalding football. The composite football plays less well but is still suitable. It can be a Rawlings football or an Olympia football. The least playable football is made of rubber but it also the least expensive. It can be Champion football, an Olympia football, a Mikasa football or a Baden football. Three official footballs, regardless of covering, are recommended for each game.

Football accessories are a football pump, a pressure gauge, inflating needles and a repair kit. The ball pump can be a hand operated air pump or a foot pump. Regardless, all accessories should be good repair.

The ball bag is made of nylon mesh with a nylon draw string and comes in a variety of colors. This nylon ball bag can hold up to 10 footballs and all accessory equipment. The nylon ball tote transports football equipment to and from the game and keeps it safe while the game is played.

Full participation means that all players give the game their best effort. Anything less than this means that this individual player is not having fun. The most fun is had in family football when every player gives their best effort to the game.

Creative follow up is also a hallmark of family (or any) football. When the game is over it is always worthwhile to review the play. What worked and why are key questions to answer. Family football is the most fun when the players involved can see how their play helped or hindered the overall effort. Without creative and objective follow up family football never improves and so loses its fun value!

Having fun is the best way to play family football. But fun can only be achieved if each player is ready, plays his or her best and learns from the experience.

Family football is fun. That’s its primary purpose! Any other objective is secondary and unimportant. Yes, family football provides many other benefits, but having football fun is the most important. When family football stops being fun then it’s pointless to continue play. When organizing a family football game be sure that it’s football for family fun for all – players and spectators. Here are five ways.

1 – Let Anyone Play. Let anyone who wishes, play in the game. Family football is not the exclusive province of big, experienced players. The game should be open to anyone, old or young, boy or girl, and experienced or brand new. All who wish to play can play and be made to feel a real part of the team. If family football becomes exclusive it is no longer a family game!

2 – Don’t Keep Score. In a family football game is there any reason to keep score? The answer is no if the primary reason for playing family football is to have fun. Keeping score implies a winner and a loser. There is no “winner” in family football provided that the game is played for fun. Yes, it’s fun to score touchdowns and even field goals with an official NFL football. But family football is still about having fun so running up the score is unnecessary.

3 – Why Play Tough? Is it possible to have fun in family football if the play is tough? The answer is no. Family football should provide fun and enjoyment for every participant. So using excessive roughness in the game is not required. Yes, there should be line blocking to make the game more realistic and exciting. But don’t permit bigger players to intimidate smaller ones. Just keep the game fun.

4 - Keep Things Convivial. The most fun in family football happens when everyone enjoys the play. This means that every player gets an opportunity to score with an official football and truly enjoy the game. Being supportive and helpful to everyone involved in the game insures that all players have fun. There is no place in family football for negative criticism. Being supportive is far more sportsmanlike.

5 – Make It an Outing. The great joy in family football is the family aspect. Everyone in the family, player and spectator alike, can have fun. So, it’s important to make the football game a key part of a family outing. This family get together should also include a picnic held in a grassy park on a warm sunny afternoon. The game, the family, the picnic, the day, the leather football, the air pump, the tote bag and the location all combine to make family football a memorable experience!

Fun is the major reason for playing family football. As long as this objective is kept clearly in mind family football fun can be fully enjoyed by all.

How do you have the most fun when playing family football? There are many ways. This article describes five key actions to take to ensure that you’re playing family football to have the most fun.

1 – Play for Fun. Make no mistake about it. Family football is played for fun. Yes, winning is great and it makes the game more enjoyable. But the true question of a family football game is, “Did everyone who played have fun?” This means all participants, including the youngest, most inexperienced players and any girls who may be playing. Ensure that everyone who plays enjoys the game and has family football fun.

2 – Be in Condition. If your body is in condition to play family football you’ll enjoy yourself and avoid injuries. To be in condition means that you don’t smoke, avoid excessive alcohol and stay away from banned drugs. Also, your body should be properly prepared to play by doing aerobic and strength exercises. Having a healthy body ensures your full participation in and enjoyment of family football fun.

3 – Eat Properly. Food is a key fun determinant for any family football game. By eating healthy food you’re much better prepared to enjoy the game. This means avoiding fatty foods like hamburgers and French fries and not drinking sweet caffeinated beverages. Eat light and healthy even after a game. Your body will thank you and you will enjoy yourself much more.

4 – Dress for Play. An important input to having fun in family football is the proper dress. This game does not require an elaborate uniform. But, proper dress and equipment, like an official NFL football, makes the family game more enjoyable. Proper dress includes well fitted and unworn sneakers, shorts or jeans and a snug fitting jersey. Football shoes with cleats are not required. To play well it’s important to dress properly.

5 – Don’t Play Injured. Injuries are part of football. However, they should not be accepted in any family football game. If a player is injured before the game he or she should not be allowed to play. Their injury will only be aggravated. If someone is injured during family play they should immediately leave the field and seek medical advice. At no time should anyone play injured in a family football game.

The cardinal guideline in a family football game is to have football fun. By adhering strictly to the five actions outlined above, anyone who plays family football is assured of having fun. So, don’t overlook them!

In family football there is a persistent controversy. Is the game played for football fun or is performance more important? Many family players believe that the game should be played just for fun. However, there is another contingent who believes just as strongly that the game should focus on performance. Their argument is that no competitive game in any sport is played just for fun. This article examines both points of view and suggests a solution.

Do We Play for Fun?

There are many solid points to support the argument that family football is a fun game. As a fun game it welcomes players of all skill levels and both sexes. In this game scoring is unimportant. What matters most is having fun. As long as every participant has a good time playing then the game is a success.

In this game all players, regardless of skill level, are welcome. Everyone plays and it matters not how well anyone plays. The key criterion here is participation. All who participate get a good chance to play. This means that all players have a chance to run the ball or catch it or block opponents. No one is excluded in any way. This is clearly the most democratic way to play and it provides a lot of fun for all players.

Do We Play for Performance?

Playing for fun is the democratic way to play family football. However, for some players, this kind of game is unsatisfying. It does not focus on performance and the score is unimportant. Football, after all, is a competitive game. It is not meant to be played solely for fun. Otherwise, why keep score? Week after week, professional, college, and high school football teams vie aggressively to win games. Should family football be any less committed to winning?

The most important outcome of any football game is the winner. American society does very little in sports just for the fun of it. Should family football be the exception? It is often said that family football is played for fun. But what can be more fun than winning? Every aspect of the family game mimics league play. Blocking, running, passing an official football and scoring are all important. Few family games ignore the scoreboard. And family players strive aggressively to score touchdowns. It would seem, therefore, that performance does matter.

So what is the answer? Both aspects – fun and performance – are essential to the family game. Therefore, before play begins, the participants in a family game should decide how the game will be played. There are pros and cons for either type of play. So the participants must decide accordingly. There is no simple answer. Either form of play has it place. Therefore, play in a manner most acceptable to all concerned.

Why play family football? This question is often raised by players and spectators alike. With so many competing football venues does it make any sense to play the family game? This article looks at this question and offers five reasons why playing family football makes good sense.

1 – It’s Fun! The primary reason for playing football is for family fun. If play is too serious it takes away the fun. Ensuring that all players enjoy the family game is why it’s played. Yes, winning is important but it’s not the only reason for playing. If all participants and spectators are enjoying the game then it’s met its objective.

2 – Scoring is Not Important. Of course, the score is kept in the family game. This determines the winner. But scoring is not critical. If no score is kept, all who play the game can still have football fun. Scoring is not meant to drive the game. Fun is. So focus on having fun and don’t be concerned about the score. It adds no value to the game and may even make it far too competitive.

3 – It’s Healthy! Family football is played outdoors on a grassy field in crisp fall or warm summer weather. As such, it is a very healthy environment for all participants. The amount of running required in family football makes the game very healthy. Also, if healthy food is consumed after the game then the overall health value of the entire outing is obvious. Family football improves health.

4 – It Gets Families Together. Family football is a game played by and for families. As such, it encourages families to come together to play football in a healthy environment with an official football. It is a family fun time for all participants, either as players or spectators. There is the game to play or watch followed by an outdoor family meal. Few other activities can match this.

5 – It’s Consistent! Family football games are normally not played just one time. Invariably, families make the football game and meal a regular affair. Often families congregate weekly. They participate in the game, as either a player or spectator, and then enjoy a meal afterward in a healthy environment.  What other family function can match this?

Family football has its greatest value as a means for families to meet together regularly for football fun and food. Few other activities can equal its appeal as a healthy and congenial way for families to be together. But keep it focused. Having family fun is its key requirement!

Why bother to play family football? If winning games is the prime motivator for playing, then seek some other venue. Family football is definitely not about winning games. There are five other reasons far more important than winning for playing family football. This article describes each one.

1 – Have Fun. The chief reason for playing family football is to have family football fun. As long as all players and spectators are enjoying the game it’s worthwhile. Sure, winning does produce some fun. But winning at all cost makes no sense in the family game. If everyone is having a good time playing and watching the family game, then it’s well worthwhile.

2 – Just Play. For most family football participants just playing the game is all the excitement they need. Just being on the field running, passing and kicking a football on a warm fall day is all the play they need. Many family football players are either too young or inexperienced or the wrong sex to ever play in an organized league. Therefore, family football must provide the football playing environment that all players seek.

3 – Be Healthy. Family football is a healthy outdoor sport. All participants can run around a grassy field on a crisp fall day and just enjoy being outside. Family football encourages players to eat properly and keep fit. As such, it promotes good health. Only properly conditioned players get the full health value from playing family football.

4 – Enjoy Competition. Family football is a competitive game. Two teams play aggressively against each other and use every tactic to seek victory. But it’s not the victory that’s the motivator. It’s competition. When two teams play family football with an official football they primarily enjoy the competitive environment. The game offers both teams the opportunity to be as competitive as possible without ever hurting anyone.

5 – Promote Friendship. Only friends can truly play family football. It is not a game that is meant to settle grievances. So it is best played on the friendliest of terms. Yes, during the game tempers can sometimes run high. But a bad temper is never the formula for fun in a family football game. The best result in family football is for all players to end the game as good friends.

There are not a host of reasons to play family football. But it is important to keep one objective in clear focus. If the game is not fun, it’s not worth playing. So seek to play family football for the many fun benefits that it offers all participants.

Family football is a game where all players should have football fun. Anyone who wishes to play, regardless of skill, should be welcome. So the more experienced players should make the new comers feel welcome in the game. This article suggests five ways to ensure that all players in a family football game enjoy it.

1 – Size Them Up. Ensure that all who want to play can. This means having an equal number of known and unknown skill level players on each team. Often the only way to assess players’ skill levels is to test them in a game. With few exceptions, it is likely that very young players and girls will lack good skills. So give every aspirant a chance to play football for family fun and see how they make out.

2 – Try Them Out. A try out is fundamental. Only in a game can a player’s true ability be properly tested. Don’t assume anything. Also, don’t write off anyone because they are female or young. Often female or young players perform well. So give anyone who wishes a chance to play and have football fun.

3 – Give Them Plays. In a family game it is often easiest to use only a few known players. But in this way, some less talented players are ignored. So mix up offensive plays and give all players the opportunity to do well. It is often surprising to see who will perform in the clutch and score. Give every player the chance to play family football and excel. The results will prove that decision to be right.

4 – Encourage Everyone. A good family football leader knows his or her players and gives them all an opportunity to excel. Not all players have the skill to score but no one should be ignored. This may mean just having them catch the ball or run with it. Make all players feel that they are contributing to the successful outcome of the game.

5 – Don’t Ignore Anyone. Everyone on the family football field wants to play. And individual skills do not matter. It’s incumbent on the game leaders to let everyone play. Ignoring anyone takes the fun out of the game for everyone. First and foremost, family football must be fun.

It’s a forgone conclusion. Family football should be fun for all players, regardless of individual skills. So keep the game fun by ensuring that all who wish to play do play. No one should ever be ignored.

Family football is meant to be fun for all participants. As such, it should never be considered as dull or uninteresting. Every effort should be made by players and spectators alike to make playing and watching family football a true adventure. This article describes six ways this can happen.

 1 -      Have fun as the prime objective. Family football should be fun. Yes, there is competition but having football fun takes precedent. A lot of fun can be had if all participants understand that playing is secondary to experiencing total enjoyment. But the most fun can be had with good equipment like a leather football.

 2 -      Plan the whole day. Family football to be fun must be part of a full family outing where food and fellowship are also key ingredients. The football game should not be the prime reason for the family getting together. It is played to contribute to, but not dominate, a full day of family fellowship and good times.

 3 -       Choose a good day. A family outing is always most enjoyable when the day chosen for it is warm and clear. Few human activities are better than being outside in the warm sunshine playing touch football, eating good food and enjoying family company. So choose the day carefully well in advance. Be sure that family and friends are present and that the day selected is clear and mild.

 4 -      Make food an important ingredient. Good food at family outings is an American tradition. Nothing contributes more to total family enjoyment than serving well prepared food. It need not be elaborate. But it should be tasty and plentiful. So be sure that your family outing features good food as well as football!

 5 -       Encourage competition. The key purpose of the family football game is to enjoy friendly competition. There is nothing like a spirited game of football to get the family fully involved as players or spectators. Family football will be fun if there is a spirit of competitiveness. But the game should always be friendly since this friendship binds families and friends closer together.

 6 -       Keep things in balance. The family outing features football, food and friendship. All these items come together in a balanced way to make the day spent together a memorable one. If family fun is the watchword, then the outing will be enjoyed by all.

 Few human activities are more enjoyable than a well balanced family outing that features friendly football, good food and pleasant company. Be creative. Enjoy your family football as part of a well planned outdoor adventure!